Competition is healthy for many reasons. It encourages innovation, originality, and ingenuity. More importantly, it evokes a strong sense of determination and desire for achievement within every one of us. A long-term strategy is sacrosanct in competitive fields. Many of us are focused on short-term goals, known as tactical objectives.
While undoubtedly valuable, the absence of a long-term strategy is the undoing of many an aspiring talent. Reactive decision-making – knee-jerk conduct – can only take a person so far. To truly excel in a competitive field, one must be able to sustain, adapt, grow, innovate, and overcome in the face of adversity.
For those in the know, a long-term strategy provides coherence, guidance, and definition for success. It is best understood by working backward. By envisioning what you want in the future and assuming it exists in the present, it is possible to formulate a set of tactical and strategic plans to achieve that pre-stated objective.
The lack of vision is a guarantee of failure. This is true in academic pursuits, social undertakings, and the world of competitive gaming, to name but a few.
In any industry characterized by fierce competition, it is imperative to adopt a forward-thinking approach. This is the single best strategy for individuals and organizations.
This focused strategy empowers us to stay true to our long-term goals without being swayed by trends, setbacks, and distractions. Indeed, those at the top of their game tend to stay there because they have a clear strategy.
The Poker Case Study: How to Remain Highly Competitive Through Strategic Play
Consider a world-class card player as a case in point. The biggest names in the industry, including Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Justin Bonomo, and Bryn Kenny, are so much more than standard bearers for poker – they are legends.
Surprisingly, they have successfully retained ranking status precisely because they strategize to remain competitive and at the top of their game.
If poker were merely a game of good fortune, we would see different people rising through the ranks on any given day. These poker greats – veritable Hall of Famers – are so well known to the world that they have successfully navigated the most intense competition.
While many claim to know how to play poker, do they genuinely know how to play poker like a pro? That’s the burning question of the day. Fortunately, education and learning are at the heart of all effective long-term strategies.
Phil Ivey has 10 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and countless other valuable accolades to his credit. He is a multi-millionaire because he understands the importance of a long-term strategy in his competitive field. But he’s not the only one – Daniel Negreanu, the Canadian poker ace, is no slouch either.
He has six WSOP bracelets to his credit and a pair of WPT titles. Negreanu, a.k.a. @RealKidPoker, routinely headlines as a top-tier poker star at major contests. And why is this the case? He knows how to play poker, read his opponents, and adapt his strategy.
Doyle Brunson is known as the Texas Dolly. He is the pioneer of the big-money poker tournament, having won 10 WSOP bracelets in his time.
Arguably the most famous of the classic poker stars from the game’s early days, Brunson is regarded as one of the world’s sharpest poker strategists. He created the Super/System, and remains a world-famous poker strategist. It wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to call him a living legend in the poker community.
For those who don’t know, Justin Bonomo ranks among the top earners in poker. He has scooped up $60 million + in live tournament winnings, with plenty more to come.
Thanks to his poker strategies, he has been able to do this, including aggressive play up front and hugely successful performances in Highroller contests. He has several prestigious accolades to his credit, notably WSOP bracelets and Super High Roller Bowl victories.
Another strategist in the highly competitive world of poker games is Brynn Kenny. He secured a mega win at the 2019 Triton Million tournament, and his net worth exceeds $57 million. He is well regarded as a fearless tournament player with an ironclad strategy for success.
Closing Remarks: Why is Strategy so Important?
There’s an old saying: If you don’t know where you’re going, all roads will take you there. It’s true in life and any professional field. It’s pronounced in competitive arenas because
you’re more likely to get left behind if you don’t adopt a winning approach.
Strategy is so much more than a plan; it’s a mindset. It is a synergistic compilation of thoughts and deeds designed to get you where you want to go. When we channel all our aspirations towards a long-term goal, we cultivate the forces of the universe to shape our destiny. We manifest good things for ourselves.
It makes sense when you think about it – that’s what strategy is all about!
